You know, they say that you learn something new every day. And I really do try! I may not always, but it’s not for a lack of making it a priority. When I am interested or passionate about something, I become the biggest nerd in all things pertaining to that subject. My family, friends, and heck, even my foes have to listen to me go on and on about “the most fascinating thing” that I recently discovered. Yes, it is exhausting to be in my life – I recognize this, however, that is not what this blog is about today.
Discovering New Insights During Obesity Week 2024
Having said that, I was checking out some of the new findings and studies being featured this week at Obesity Week 2024 in San Antonio.
For those who do not know, Obesity Week is an annual conference that brings together health professionals, researchers, policymakers, and advocates to discuss the latest advancements in obesity science, treatment, and prevention. In other words, it’s more than just opinions on what type of protein bar is the best for breakfast. This conference is where you can find some of the premiere voices and thought leaders regarding weight-loss and metabolic health.
Anyway, as I was perusing (i.e. low-key stalking) someone’s pictures from the conference, I enlarged a photo that they had taken of a life-sized timeline chart entitled, 40 Years of Excellence in Obesity Research. I started being “fascinated” at the 1981 mark and then I saw a little, one-sentence fact placed right at the year 1994 that made me wonder how old I was!
The Discovery of Leptin: A Key to Appetite Regulation
Right there, two years after I would have already graduated high school, was a fact that sort of knocked me over. Apparently, in 1994 leptin was discovered. Really, 1994? That wasn’t in the 50’s? How did we go so long treating obesity and pursuing weight loss without knowing about leptin?
If you don’t know, leptin is kind of a big deal! It is a critical hormone for weight regulation and metabolic health. It is often referred to as the “satiety hormone”. Leptin’s main function is to signal the brain about the body’s energy status. When fat stores are sufficient, leptin levels rise, signaling to the brain that the body has enough energy, which suppresses appetite. Yay, we love that signal! On the other hand, when fat stores are low, leptin levels decrease, leading to an increase in hunger and food-seeking behavior. So in a nutshell, leptin tells us when we are FULL – and in my opinion, this seems like a super handy piece of information to really understand during someone’s weight-loss journey.
I guess that just goes to show you that although we’ve come a very long way in recent years, even the most brilliant minds have yet to get it all figured out. If you are sometimes confused or feel like you are missing a key puzzle piece to this weight-loss picture, well, you are not alone. Even the smartiest-pants in health research are still trying to know what all it entails.
Grace, Growth, and Your Weight-Loss Journey
Yes, it is a lot to know and so much of it can be overwhelming, but give yourself some grace. If you are doing the very best that you can with what you know – then, well done! But also remember, keep learning and pressing toward your goals, because the more you know the further you go. And lastly, if you would like a simple, EZ as 123, no-nonsense approach to weight loss, then you owe it to yourself to check out SkinnyBox® and pick out a plan that’s right for you!
Lisa Mills
Executive VP of SkinnyBox
- Executive Vice President of SkinnyBox™, LLC
- SkinnyBox™ first one-hundred pound weight loss success story
- Master Certified Health and Wellness Coach
- John Maxwell Certified Team Member
- Nationally Touring, Award-Winning Comedian
- Corporate Keynote Speaker and Author
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